Giuseppe Barile
Oct 16, 2024
The theme of electricity transition, global competition and job uncertainties. Stellantis' strategic decisions under the lens.
The shadow of the crisis looms over Stellantis, the automotive giant born from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Peugeot Citroën. The recent parliamentary hearings of CEO Carlos Tavares have shed light on the difficulties the sector is experiencing in Italy and on the uncertainties for the future.
Declining production, the threat of delocalisation, and the pressure of global competition are putting the Italian automotive industry to the test. The transition to electric , while necessary to address climate challenges, represents an additional challenge, requiring huge investments and a profound reorganisation of production chains. Unions are sounding the alarm, calling for greater investments and a solid industrial plan to guarantee the future of workers and the entire supply chain. The government, for its part, has announced a series of measures to support the sector, but many believe that they are not enough to reverse the trend.
The causes of the crisis are multiple and complex: from the fierce competition of Asian and American giants to the lack of investment in research and development to the increase in the cost of energy and raw materials. Added to this is the difficulty of finding a synthesis between the needs of industry, the expectations of workers and environmental policies.
The future of the Italian automotive industry hangs by a thread. The ability to face this challenge will depend on the willingness of all the actors involved – institutions, companies, and unions – to collaborate and find shared solutions. An ambitious industrial plan is needed, capable of combining environmental sustainability with economic competitiveness and job protection. Only in this way will Italy be able to maintain a leading role in the sector at a global level.